You only get one chance to make your Olympic debut, and from youngsters and veterans to global sporting superstars, Paris had it all over the course of just over two weeks.
Some newcomers left the band with newfound fame, others simply added another chapter to their historic career, and some even became memes.
But whatever happens in the rest of their lives, Paris will always be with them. Here’s a look back at five who stood out in the French capital.
Letsile Tebogo
For the Botswana native, it worked the first time, and what better stage would be suitable for him to shine than a top-class event?
Tebogo made the 200-meter final his personal lap of honor at the Stade de France and patted his chest triumphantly as he crossed the finish line.
And no, that was not a sign of arrogance, but a proud salute to Botswana’s first Olympic gold, which Tebogo dedicated to his late mother Elizabeth Sertiwa.
Tebogo, who set an African record of 19.46 seconds and is now known as Botswana’s Lionheart, wore ice skates for his debut at the Games.
Stephen Curry
“Best shooter in basketball history” and “debutant” sound like a strange combination.
And they are, because it sounds unusual that these are Curry’s first games, but his magic at the Bercy Arena was anything but.
The 36-year-old shared his superstar status with the world, or at least with anyone who is not yet familiar with the NBA.
After the USA averaged 6.7 points in the group stage, “Chef Curry” stepped onto the green and dropped 36 points en route to a narrow semifinal victory over Serbia.
His records earned the sniper two more awards – the second most points by an American Olympian and Olympic gold.
Stephen Nedoroscik
Does the name ring a bell? How about “guy with the pommel horse”?
Nedoroscik’s Olympic debut was not only enhanced by the fact that he became an overnight internet sensation; he also came with a little extra weight in his luggage.
The US gymnast won bronze medals in the artistic team all-around and, of course, on the pommel horse.
But it was just before the team finals that he awoke from a nap, took off his glasses and performed a routine involving metal braces that may prove to be his final legacy.
Luo Shifang
An Olympic record and more. Luo won China’s third gold medal in weightlifting in Paris, writing three chapters of Olympic history.
Her performances in the snatch and clean and jerk reached new heights in her gold medal performance in the 59 kg class.
And amidst her steely intensity and tiger-like concentration, she relaxed with a pink blanket and pillow, taking a nap between her record-breaking lifts.
Breaking a record on the greatest show in the world is significant – doing it three times is legendary.
Kim Ye-ji
People who come here for the first time usually don’t have an “aura”, but this South Korean was a bit different.
Kim won silver in the women’s 10-meter air pistol shooting, missing gold by just 1.9 points.
But the color of the medal wasn’t the only thing. Kim’s “sci-fi assassin look” caused a sensation on social media.
What people described as “main character energy” was Kim’s cool sci-fi shooter glasses, her stone-cold demeanor, and her stoic expression while her daughter’s elephant-shaped stuffed animal dangled from her waistband. Now that’s some serious attitude.
